Selina moved closer to him now that the room had emptied out and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. Her arms accidentally grazed him as she hugged him and Morgan groaned in pain.
He missed her suddenly in his arms.
“I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you,” she said as she began to stand but Morgan pulled her back into his arms, breathing her in.
“I do not mind at all. I like having you in my arms like this,” Morgan said as he tightened his good arm around her. He sighed when he felt her hand tighten around his waist and felt the heaviness of her weight on him as she relaxed her body into his.
Morgan did not know how long they remained in that position before she unwrapped her hands from his body and pulled away him.
“I’m sorry,” she said once again, not meeting his eyes this time. Morgan could tell that she was apologizing for something else this time.
“I’m sorry that I lied to you. It was never my intention to place your family at risk. I was only trying to protect myself from my father,” she said calmly and Morgan felt his heart drop.
She had nothing to apologize for. He understood now why she had not told him.
“Selina… I had hoped we would have this talk sooner so you would not have to carry this pain within yourself. I know everything and I should be the one to apologize to you. I should have talked to you more, I should have trusted you and my feelings for you.”
He shook his head in deep regret. “I allowed my anger to blind me and chased you into the arms of the very man you sought to avoid.”
Morgan ground his jaw as he struggled to keep his feelings in check. He had never been angry with himself about anything as he was now.
“All I ask is that you know that it was not your fault, it never was.” Morgan pulled her closer to him and kissed her, savoring the taste of her lips. He sighed when her hands grasped the sides of his shirt and she returned his kiss as passionately as he gave it.
“Selina…” Morgan pulled away from her and lowered himself to the floor in front of her as she gasped.
“I love you. I have found a home in you and losing that home for the very short time I did has shown me that I never want to be apart from you ever again. My world would crumble without you in it. Marry me, Selina.”
“Yes. I will marry you,” she spoke through covered lips, her eyes brightening with unshed tears as she nodded her acceptance.
Morgan felt his heart ease as he stood up and wrapped her in a hug once again, this time as the man who was going to soon call her his wife.
“I love you too,” she said as she burrowed into his chest affectionately.
“We should let the others know,” Selina said, giggling softly. The happy sounds sent a jolt down his spine as he took her hand in his to head to the drawing room.
Sounds of applause reached their ears as the happy pair reached the drawing room. Morgan looked at the happy face of his grandmother, stretched into a smile, and his sister who was giggling as she hurried to hug him and then Selina.
“Congratulations. I am happy that you get to be my sister now,” she said warmly and Morgan felt Selina’s hand tighten around his as she hugged Barbara happily.
“Yes, a very hearty congratulations, my boy. I am glad that you have finally found your happiness. And you Selina, I am glad that it is with you that he has found it,” his grandmother said, her hands to her heart as she spoke.
“Congratulations both of you.” Arthur walked forward. He clapped his hands, his face looking contrite.
“I am sorry to put a damper on things but Peter will be facing court in a few days. What would you like to do?” he asked.
Morgan looked at Selina. Her eyes had hardened at the mention of her father. “It is your choice if you wish to stand as a witness against him and testify to all that happened, Selina. However, if you do not wish to see him ever again, you only need to tell me and I will make sure that you never do.”
* * *
Selina could feel her heart beating fast as she thought about what she wanted to do. She wished she could take the easy way out and erase the man from her mind forever, never having to hear of him ever again. There was enough to incriminate him and send him away forever without her testimony.
However, she owed it to herself and her mother to tell their story and make everyone know the kind of monster her father was. She feared the man but she desired justice even more.
“I will testify against him. I will be there when the time comes to face him in court. He has to pay for all that he has done,” she said in a steely tone.
“You are so brave, Selina. Your courage to stand for what you believe in is outstanding.” Morgan kissed her hand.
“It is sad that I will be returning to Brigpool without you, Selina,” Grace said, smiling sadly. “I suppose knowing that the both of you are happy together is enough to make it all worth it.”
